03/03/2026
No anointed candidate, Kwara gov vows open APC governorship race
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Tuesday dismissed speculations that he has endorsed or promised to anoint a successor ahead of the 2027 governorship race, insisting that the All Progressives Congress will conduct an open and merit-based primary.
The governor spoke in Ilorin at the State Congress of the APC, amid growing political rumours that he had concluded plans to back a candidate from Kwara North Senatorial District to succeed him.
“For those who will contest and whoever eventually emerges, it is not about anyone anointing anybody.
“We are not here to build a dynasty; we are here to build a legacy. Whoever succeeds me will build on this foundation and strive to do better,” he said.
AbdulRazaq’s comments come against the backdrop of intense political consultations within the ruling party and widespread claims that power may shift to Kwara North after two consecutive terms from Kwara Central.
Although he did not directly reference zoning, his remarks were widely interpreted as a response to the succession rumours.
The governor disclosed that six governorship aspirants, including a member of the State House of Assembly, had already expressed interest in the race, describing the contest as tough but healthy for internal democracy.
“When I speak of healthy competition, I mean it will be tough. Even from within our State House of Assembly, we have six governorship aspirants altogether. Moving forward, it will indeed be a healthy contest,” he said.
AbdulRazaq urged aspirants and party stakeholders to maintain unity before and after the primaries, stressing that those who emerge victorious must carry others along.
“It will be healthy competition among those who aspire to succeed, and I urge whoever emerges victorious to carry along those who do not succeed in order to foster unity as one family,” he said.
The APC congress, which brought together party stakeholders from across the state, reviewed party activities and preparations for forthcoming political exercises.
The governor congratulated party members for sustaining unity, describing the peaceful conduct of the congress as evidence of cohesion within the party.
He claimed that the opposition had weakened both nationally and within Kwara, noting that many members of the Peoples Democratic Party had defected to the APC, while others moved to the African Democratic Congress.
“As you can see, the opposition has collapsed nationally, especially in Kwara State,” he said.
Despite the perceived dominance, AbdulRazaq said the APC would not take its position for granted as the build-up to the primaries intensifies.
AbdulRazaq also highlighted what he described as achievements in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, insisting that the administration had transformed the state over the past six years.
“What will the opposition campaign on— infrastructure, education, or healthcare? We have championed social development programmes across all these sectors,” he said.
He further credited President Bola Tinubu’s leadership for growing national confidence in the APC, citing improvements in economic indicators.
Observers say the succession debate has quietly shaped political alignments in the state in recent months, particularly amid calls for power rotation among Kwara Central, Kwara South, and Kwara North.
While no official zoning arrangement has been announced by the APC in the state, political stakeholders continue to speculate about possible regional balancing ahead of 2027.
The governor, however, maintained that competence and party process will determine the eventual candidate.
“We have raised the bar in Kwara State, and our successor will take it even further,” he said.
